President Biden Signs Autism CARES Act of 2024 into Law

On December 23, 2024, President Biden signed into law the bipartisan Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support Act, or Autism CARES Act of 2024.

The Autism CARES Act is the most comprehensive federal law addressing the urgent needs of children, adolescents, and adults with autism. Over its 17-year history, this law has resulted in a significant increase in our understanding of autism and related neurodevelopmental disabilities. The CARES Act is crucial to maintaining and improving the monitoring, training, and research programs focused on improving the lives of children and adults with autism and other neurodevelopmental disabilities, and their families.

“There is still much more work to be done to improve the quality of lives with people with autism and their families,” said Cindy Smith, Director of Public Policy at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). “AUCD is tremendously grateful for the leadership of Representative Chris Smith, Representative Henry Cuellar, Senator Ben Ray Luján, and Senator Susan Collins to ensure these critical programs and investments continued in this new law. AUCD thanks President Biden for signing the CARES Act into law and to all other members of Congress who supported this important legislation. We look forward to continuing to engage in work that makes a positive impact in the lives of people with autism and other disabilities.”

Read AUCD’s full news release, President Biden Signs Autism CARES Act of 2024 into Law. 

Graphic credit: White House graphic courtesy of The White House.